The Lost Storm

Chapter 28 - Emperor Caesar

"I got SO bored of this Court, that I decided to take my combat lessons more seriously," smiled King Caesar. He wore a simple white tunic with burgandy leather vest over the top, his trousers were black leather and his long sword stay sheathed.

By this time, everyone but the King was on their knees with their heads bowed.

Penelope opened her mouth before she could even formulate it in her brain, "Forgive my bluntness Emperor Caesar but...you are revered as one of the best fighters in the world. Do you really need these lessons?" She mentally kicked herself. No. More like she mentally threw herself down a flight of stairs. The sharp intake of breaths could be heard coming from several people, but the eyes of both brothers could be seen from her peripheral vision.

The King's hand went to the hilt of his sword and laid back on the wall his throne was on with swagger, "Arise, Princess Penelope." She did so with grace while everyone else was still on their knees. "Come", he motioned with his hand.

She picked up her skirts while holding her head high, she faced the King and started up the stairs until she finally stopped before him. His hair ash blonde looking freshly washed and combed, as it had some slick back. She peered up at his brown-orange eyes, "Good to see you, little bunny. Your circlet is a little crooked, were you in a rush to see me?" Caesar smiled at her with those charming Roman features and she thought she saw his canines, but the thought left just as quick as it came.

"I thought the name a myth when your sister wrote about it, but now you say it out loud. In front of all these people at that and...yes, actually. I need to speak with you. Urgently." Her face was now more serious and her tone sounded a bit more desperate.

At that, the Caesar also changed his face, huffing he looked up, "Tomorrow evening there will be a masquerade ball with lots of food and drink, those of the court will be required to come with their families. Court is dismissed for today, thank you to everyone!" He boomed and projected his voice. Now motioning to the guards closer to him, "Bring the Princes to my private studies." In the blink of an eye, the guards opened the doors and everyone started filing out. One after the other, people of the Court talked amongst themselves, no doubt, about what they would wear for the ball the next day. The guards came to stand behind the twins, who still had no idea what was going on, as if to get them moving.

"I knew you were coming and at the rate you were sailing, I knew it was important. But, your voice made it sound even worse," said the king.

"You made the Court believe you were training while you knew we were coming? With all that scheming, they might just start a civil war on you", said Penelope.

"They can. They might try one of these days. But, I am ready for that too. Prepared actually, with all that serious training I have been doing lately," he smiled wickedly, "I would let them rally up, just to execute them. Show the people how useless and stupid Court has come to."

The room went quiet. Too quiet. As they came in, the Prince's looked at each other in shock. "Are you saying you think they will," asked Penelope.

He finally sat on his oversized desk that stood in front of floor to ceiling windows over looking the kingdom and ocean they had just traveled through, "Yes. I know they will. I am anticipating it," he sat his sword on the table and leaned back in the oversized chair that had been in the family for centuries, "But, that's already taken care of. What brings you here, Stormhillers?"

Penelope stood in front of him, with her brothers at her side. She looked at Rowan and nodded, he reached into his pocket....

Shing!

All of the guards unsheathed their swords to protect the Caesar. He laughed, "Sheath you swords. They know what's good for them."
Rowan finally took his hand out with the sealed letter from their mother. "She said this is strictly for your eyes only, King Caesar," said the Prince handing the envelope to the King.

"Guards at the door," ordered Julius. All of the guards filed out and stood guarding his Majesties door. Now, it was just him, Rowan, Penelope, and Riken in the study. He straightened his back on his chair and ran his finger over the intricate seal.
It was his duty to learn of all the families that were tied to his, Queen Silvana was one of those. Fortunately for her, she still had some ties to this land and even a small home here in the city. Many people do not know, many don't care as it was ages ago. But knowledge is power, and this dog knew better than to refuse any knowledge.

He cracked the seal and opened the letter...

Two pages long, front and back. This really IS dire. And to send her children here to personally deliver this small message.

As the King started reading, all three siblings looked at each other not knowing what to think anymore as they were already exhausted.

A few more seconds and Julius finally sighed and put the letter down. "Do you know what is in this letter?"

They looked at each other and Riken spoke up, "I believe we have an idea," the other two nodded with him, "as to what exactly we are not sure. As the Princess said, she gave us strict instruction to give that to you in your hands. Never said anything about going back or..." He waved his hands as if to ask what were they supposed to do now.

Julius massaged the bridge of his nose trying to alleviate a new problem coming his way. "Your mother just revealed to me Damien's plans," he said smiling as if it were a joke, "which is yet to be read here I presume."

"We," said Penelope, "were actually at the plaza when it was read out to the public, your Majesty."

Caesar scoffed with a smile at her statement, "Which makes it even worse. Didn't hold back on reading it to the people, but here I am waiting on this 'special' message." He took the letter again, this time laying it flat on his palm.

Piff!

Suddenly his palm, and the letter ignited into a small fire. He leaned back into his chair with a satisfied look, and watched as the embers ate the paper and bringing the ash up into the air. "No one is to know what I am about to tell you, but us." He looked at all of the siblings straight into their eyes. "The contents of that letter was your mother asking me for you to stay here. So, you are to stay here in my care and in my Court. Learn Caesarean Court until your use of my army comes."

The twins looked at eachother in shock, "Use your army," Penelope finally asked.

"Yes. Family is family. You all should know," explained Julius.

"Yeah. A few centuries removed, Caesar," said Rowan.

"Several, actually," replied Caesar letting go of the ashes as they dissipated into the air. "As I said, you three will be staying with me in my care. If this 'special decree' from Damien comes and solidifies what your mother has just sent me, your sister's sudden departure and my best friend's disappearance will be solved with my entire army and fleet at your disposal."

"And what of you," Penelope stunned all men in the room. "Will we have you at our disposal?"

The King looked at her straight in the eyes now, glowing as bright as new embers. "HOW will I be at your disposal, Princess of Stormhill?"

"We may be of Stormhill, but we know the stories of your line, My Lord."

"It would be best if my stories are best kept as...stories," he bowed his head and closed his eyes. As if shaking the bright eyes off. Caesar then opened them again. "My sister has especially requested you stay with her. Prince Rowan and Prince Riken will each be in rooms not far from you. Remember the ball tomorrow, you are required to attend."

The three siblings bowed, "Yes, Emperor Caesar."